First Driving Review is in for the BMW 435i from Edmunds.com

We knew it was only a matter of time until the first driving review of the 435i came out - and here it is from edmunds.com

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It isn't sheer power that makes the 2014 BMW 435i the car it is, but the chassis engineering inside it. BMW worked on creating a body-in-white that was about the same weight as its predecessor but had 60 percent more torsional rigidity and a 50:50 weight distribution. Total weight is a claimed 3,527 pounds for a 435i with the eight-speed automatic, but that's an unloaded European-spec figure so U.S. models will likely weigh in slightly higher.

Perhaps more critically, the 435i has had its center of gravity lowered by nearly an inch. That helps the driver to feel more like part of the car rather than a rider on top of it, and gives the 435i a more planted feel in corners.

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This is an easy car to like. It looks great, goes well, handles progressively and it's comfortable. Sure, much the same could be said about the old 3 Series coupe, yet the 2014 BMW 435i manages to tweak all the parameters without giving up anything along the way.

Maybe when the 4 Series lands Stateside in a couple months, it will have slightly updated tuning that will bridge the gap that we found so obvious. Even without such a change, few will find the 4 Series objectionable. It's just too pretty, too fast and too well-sorted everywhere else to complain.

13 responses to First Driving Review is in for the BMW 435i from Edmunds.com

rdkind62 commented: July 19, 2013, 2:07 am

I was really glad to read this: The steering feels even better sorted than the suspension, the electric system finally delivering the sort of intuitive tacking that BMW lost in the switch from hydraulics.

And this: few will find the 4 Series objectionable. It's just too pretty, too fast and too well-sorted everywhere else to complain.

chris328 commented: July 19, 2013, 8:21 am

looks awkward in that picture. it looks awkward in a lot of pictures. really a shame about that hood.

EstorilF30 commented: July 19, 2013, 8:58 am

Still waiting for more reviews from critical magazines and companies.

Still don't like the look of it really either.

Chris90 commented: July 19, 2013, 3:04 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by rdkind62

I was really glad to read this: The steering feels even better sorted than the suspension, the electric system finally delivering the sort of intuitive tacking that BMW lost in the switch from hydraulics.

Yeah, but then discouraged to read this, from Autocar:

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In pure driving terms, it is every bit as engaging as the Audi A5 coupé and Mercedes-Benz E-class, if not more so. The electro-mechanical steering is accurate, responsive and quite well weighted with eager self-centering traits up to moderate speeds. However, a reduction of assistance makes it artificially light, rather devoid of feel and lacking any true feedback at higher speeds.

johnc_22 commented: July 19, 2013, 3:09 pm

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Originally Posted by chris328

looks awkward in that picture. it looks awkward in a lot of pictures. really a shame about that hood.

Agreed, the front end is unfortunate.

Kayani_1 commented: July 20, 2013, 4:57 am

+1

It seems like the 4 series is more sporty then the 3 series. However, it still seems like a huge compromise specially at higher speeds.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris90

Yeah, but then discouraged to read this, from Autocar:

"a reduction of assistance makes it artificially light, rather devoid of feel and lacking any true feedback at higher speeds."

335i Driver commented: July 20, 2013, 9:14 am

The article says both the 428 & 435 have a top speed of 155. Not that it really matters in the US because there's so few places to find out, but I'm just not buying 240 hp pulling 3600lbs to 155 mph.

EstorilF30 commented: July 20, 2013, 9:58 am

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Originally Posted by 335i Driver

The article says both the 428 & 435 have a top speed of 155. Not that it really matters in the US because there's so few places to find out, but I'm just not buying 240 hp pulling 3600lbs to 155 mph.

My E46 with barely 185 HP made it to the limiter of 120-125.

I would imagine a vehicle that is 13 years newer with 60 more HP to spare could climb to 150-155, especially with a sixth gear.

lakerslive2004 commented: July 20, 2013, 6:56 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335i Driver

The article says both the 428 & 435 have a top speed of 155. Not that it really matters in the US because there's so few places to find out, but I'm just not buying 240 hp pulling 3600lbs to 155 mph.

There are videos on YouTube of several 328i's hitting 155mph/250kph. What's not to buy?

JoeFromPA commented: July 20, 2013, 8:09 pm

155 is unrealistic for 240hp. But it's not unrealistic if the engine is really producing 260-270

lakerslive2004 commented: July 20, 2013, 8:30 pm

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Originally Posted by JoeFromPA

155 is unrealistic for 240hp. But it's not unrealistic if the engine is really producing 260-270

That's not true either. The E90 328i can also hit 155mph. Several videos on YouTube of that as well.

335i Driver commented: July 21, 2013, 8:47 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by lakerslive2004

That's not true either. The E90 328i can also hit 155mph. Several videos on YouTube of that as well.

Probably another case of a BMW engine putting out more hp than claimed then. I've driven a number of cars with 220-240hp and none of them would pull past 130, and most had great aerodynamics.

Chris90 commented: August 19, 2013, 10:57 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by EstorilF30

My E46 with barely 185 HP made it to the limiter of 120-125.

I would imagine a vehicle that is 13 years newer with 60 more HP to spare could climb to 150-155, especially with a sixth gear.

I hit the speed limiter at 132 mph in my E36 325i, which had like 182 hp. It felt good for 140 too. Of course subtract 5 mph for BMW's exaggerated speedometers.